Emmanuel Osadebe claims Bradford City’s players are united behind caretaker manager Kevin McDonald after he scored the goal that moved him one step closer to a full-time position.
The Bantams are taking their time finding a replacement for Mark Hughes, which is understandable given McDonald’s success in his first three games in temporary charge.
In the Football League Trophy encounter at Grimsby Town, Osadebe scored the winner in the final two minutes, either side of a red card. It has been a busy week for the forward, whose Bradford career has yet to begin fully due to injury.
Osadebe has started just two league games since joining in the summer of 2022, but his calm finish off the bench at Wimbledon makes a strong argument for a third.
It also pressed McDonald’s allegations, who took the job with the intention of focusing his emphasis on his playing career in the short term but is now avoiding the topic.
If there were a popularity contest among the players, the midfielder would be hired right away.
“Kev’s young, he has a lot of ideas and as a team we’re doing what he’s asking, pressing high, creating chances, being exciting, dominating possession – that’s something we’ve done and the results have shown,” Osadebe said of his team’s performance.
“He’s an honest guy, he demands high standards, and everyone believes it.” We all have our values that we bring with us.
“I’m not sure what happens up there (in the boardroom), but everyone is completely behind him.” We know what is expected of us, whether he gets it or not. We’d want to see him succeed.
“We have an identity, and we know exactly what we’re doing: high pressing, winning the ball, creating chances, and scoring goals.”
“Everyone on the team, from the staff to the players, is in it together.” It’s a difficult organization with high standards and a lot of competition, so when you’re given the opportunity, you have to produce.
“Now we know what the league asks of us, we don’t feel there are teams better than us, which is the right mentality.”
The Bantams hadn’t had a shot on goal until Osadbe sprinted onto an Andy Cook flick-on, held off his man, and calmly scored the game’s only goal.
When asked what orders he had received four minutes earlier, Osadebe stated, “Bring energy because we were a little flat in the first half for whatever reason.”
“From the start of the second half, the boys dug in. Prior to my arrival, the energy levels were higher and the pressing was much better; we were more cohesive as a unit.
“He (McDonald) knows I prefer to play in the middle, but I have a job to do when he sends me out wide.” I must read the game, adjust, and assist the team.
“When things don’t go well, we work on different ideas; we don’t just have one way of playing.” That’s something he’s carried with him.”
Before the game, Osadebe learned that Bradford’s appeal against his midweek red card had been denied, although the three-match suspension only pertains to the Football League Trophy.
“I knew I need to use the time I’ve got because with some of the cup games coming up I’ll miss out on game-time,” he told reporters.
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